Your home is likely to be one of the most valuable things you own, so it is important to make sure your house insurance gives you the right level of protection. Whether you are going away on holiday, spending more time out during the summer, visiting family, working away or leaving the property empty for longer periods, your home still needs suitable cover in place.
Many people only check their home insurance when the renewal arrives or after something has gone wrong. By then, it may be too late to correct missing cover, update values or add protection for items that should have been declared. A proper review can help you understand what is covered, what is excluded and whether your policy still reflects the way you live.
At West Craven Insurance, we help customers arrange house insurance that suits their property, belongings and personal circumstances. The right policy can protect the structure of your home, the possessions inside it and, where required, provide optional extras for higher-value items, accidental damage, legal expenses or belongings taken away from the home.
Why House Insurance Matters
House insurance is designed to protect you from the financial impact of damage, theft or loss involving your home. Without suitable cover, repairs and replacements can become expensive very quickly. A burst pipe, fire, storm, escape of water, burglary or accidental damage can all create costs that many households would struggle to manage without insurance.
Good home insurance should be arranged around your actual property and belongings. A small terraced house, detached family home, flat, listed building, rural property, high-value home or property with extensions may all need different levels of cover. The same applies to contents. A household with standard furniture and everyday possessions may need a different level of cover from someone with jewellery, watches, antiques, collections, bicycles, musical instruments or expensive technology.
The key is making sure your policy reflects what you need to protect. Choosing the cheapest option without checking the details can leave gaps, especially if sums insured are too low, valuables are not declared or important optional cover has been missed.
Buildings Insurance and Contents Insurance
House insurance is often made up of two main parts: buildings insurance and contents insurance. Some people need both, while others may only need one depending on whether they own or rent the property.
Buildings insurance covers the physical structure of the home. This usually includes the walls, roof, floors, permanent fixtures, fitted kitchens, bathrooms and other parts of the building. It can help with the cost of repair or rebuilding after events such as fire, flood, storm damage, subsidence, escape of water, impact or vandalism, depending on the policy terms.
Contents insurance covers the belongings inside your home. A simple way to think about contents is to imagine turning the house upside down. The items that would fall out are usually contents. This may include furniture, clothing, electrical items, carpets, curtains, kitchenware, personal possessions and other household items.
Both types of cover are important. Buildings insurance protects the property itself, while contents insurance protects the things that make the property your home.
What Can House Insurance Cover?
Every policy is different, but house insurance may include cover for a range of common risks. It is important to check your own policy wording, as limits, exclusions and conditions can vary.
- Fire, smoke and explosion damage
- Storm, flood and weather-related damage
- Theft, attempted theft and vandalism
- Escape of water from pipes, tanks or appliances
- Impact damage caused by vehicles, falling trees or aerials
- Damage to buildings, fixtures and fittings
- Loss or damage to household contents
- Alternative accommodation if the home cannot be lived in after an insured event
- Liability cover connected to your home or property ownership
Optional extensions may also be available. These can include accidental damage, personal possessions cover, home emergency assistance, legal expenses, pedal cycle cover, cover for high-value items or protection for belongings taken outside the home.
Why You Should Check Your Cover Before Going Away
If you are planning a holiday, weekend away or extended time away from home, it is worth checking your house insurance before you leave. Many policies include conditions about security, unoccupied periods and how the property should be looked after while you are away.
For example, your insurer may expect doors and windows to be locked, alarms to be used if declared on the policy, valuables to be stored securely and the property to be checked if it is left empty for a long period. Some policies apply restrictions if the home is unoccupied for more than a certain number of consecutive days.
This does not mean you cannot go away. It simply means you should understand your policy conditions before the property is left unattended. If you are going away for an extended period, speak to your broker or insurer so they can confirm whether any additional steps are needed.
Simple Ways to Protect Your Home While You Are Away
Insurance is important, but prevention still matters. A few practical steps can reduce the chance of damage, theft or disruption while your home is empty.
- Lock all doors, windows, garages, gates and outbuildings before leaving
- Set your alarm if you have one and it is declared on your policy
- Keep valuables away from windows and obvious view
- Ask a trusted neighbour, friend or family member to check the property
- Avoid advertising your absence publicly on social media
- Cancel regular deliveries or ask someone to move post from the door
- Use timer switches or smart lighting to make the home look occupied
- Turn off non-essential electrical items
- Check taps, appliances and water connections before leaving
- Make sure garden furniture, tools and ladders are stored securely
These steps are simple, but they can make a difference. A home that looks occupied and well secured is less attractive to thieves. Reducing the risk of leaks, electrical issues or weather damage can also help prevent avoidable claims.
Avoiding Underinsurance
Underinsurance is one of the most common problems with home insurance. It happens when the amount insured is lower than the real cost of rebuilding the property or replacing the contents. If you need to make a claim and the insurer finds that the values are too low, the settlement may be reduced.
For buildings insurance, the sum insured should usually reflect the cost of rebuilding the property, not simply its market value. Rebuilding costs can include demolition, site clearance, labour, materials, professional fees and compliance with current building regulations.
For contents insurance, it is important to think about the total replacement value of everything in the home. Many people underestimate how much their possessions would cost to replace. Furniture, clothing, appliances, carpets, curtains, tools, technology and everyday household items can add up quickly.
High-value items should be declared where required. Jewellery, watches, artwork, antiques, bicycles, collections, hearing aids, musical instruments and expensive technology may need to be listed separately if they exceed policy limits.
Common House Insurance Mistakes
House insurance can look straightforward, but small mistakes can cause problems when a claim needs to be made. Reviewing your cover properly can help avoid unnecessary issues.
- Choosing the cheapest policy without checking exclusions
- Setting buildings or contents values too low
- Forgetting to declare high-value items
- Not telling the insurer about building work or renovations
- Leaving the home empty for long periods without checking policy conditions
- Failing to update the policy after an extension, loft conversion or major purchase
- Assuming personal belongings are covered away from home
- Not checking whether accidental damage is included
- Keeping old security information on the policy after locks or alarms change
These mistakes are usually avoidable. A short review can help make sure the policy is accurate and suitable for your current circumstances.
When Should You Review Your House Insurance?
It is sensible to review your house insurance every year at renewal, but there are also certain times when you should check it sooner. If your home, belongings or personal circumstances change, your insurance may need to change too.
You should review your policy if you:
- Carry out an extension, loft conversion or major renovation
- Buy expensive jewellery, watches, technology or furniture
- Start working from home and keep business equipment in the property
- Install a new kitchen, bathroom or fitted furniture
- Leave the property unoccupied for an extended period
- Let part of the property or take in a lodger
- Change locks, alarms or other security arrangements
- Move valuable items into outbuildings, garages or sheds
Keeping your insurer or broker informed helps reduce the risk of a claim being delayed or challenged because the policy information is out of date.
Do You Need Personal Possessions Cover?
Contents insurance usually protects belongings inside the home, but it may not automatically cover items when they are taken outside. Personal possessions cover can help protect certain items away from the home, depending on the policy terms.
This can be useful for items such as phones, tablets, laptops, jewellery, watches, handbags, glasses, hearing aids, bicycles or sports equipment. If you regularly take valuable items with you, it is worth checking whether they are covered outside the property.
There may be limits for individual items, total claims and types of belongings covered. Some items may need to be specified separately. If in doubt, ask before assuming they are protected.
What About Working from Home?
Many households now use the home for some form of work. This might be occasional laptop work, running a small business, storing tools, holding stock, seeing clients or using specialist equipment. The insurance position can vary depending on what you do.
Standard house insurance may be suitable for basic clerical work, but it may not cover business stock, customers visiting the home, business equipment, tools, treatment rooms or trade activities. If you work from home, tell your broker or insurer so they can check whether your policy remains suitable.
This is especially important if the property is used for a business that involves visitors, deliveries, storage, manufacturing, treatments, repairs or professional advice. You may need separate business insurance as well as home insurance.
How West Craven Insurance Can Help
At West Craven Insurance, we understand that your home is one of your most important assets. We can help you look at house insurance that reflects the property, your belongings and the way you use your home.
Rather than relying only on a quick online quote, speaking to an experienced insurance broker can help you check the details properly. This can be especially useful if you have high-value items, unusual property features, previous claims, a listed building, a property that is left empty at times, or home working arrangements.
We can help you consider buildings cover, contents cover, optional add-ons, personal possessions, accidental damage and any special circumstances that may need to be declared. The aim is to help you arrange cover that is practical, suitable and clear.
FAQs About House Insurance
What is the difference between buildings insurance and contents insurance?
Buildings insurance covers the structure of your home, including walls, roof, floors and permanent fixtures such as fitted kitchens and bathrooms. It helps with repair or rebuilding costs after insured damage.
Contents insurance covers the belongings inside your home, such as furniture, electrical items, clothing, carpets, curtains and personal possessions. Many homeowners need both types of cover.
Do I need house insurance if I own my home outright?
If you own your home outright, you are not usually required by a mortgage lender to have buildings insurance, but it is still strongly recommended. Without it, you may have to pay repair or rebuilding costs yourself after serious damage.
Contents insurance is also worth considering because replacing your belongings after theft, fire, flood or escape of water can be expensive. The right cover can protect you from large unexpected costs.
Will my house insurance cover me while I am on holiday?
House insurance usually continues while you are on holiday, but your policy may include conditions about security and how long the property can be left unoccupied. You should check these details before you travel.
If you are going away for an extended period, contact your broker or insurer. They can confirm whether your current cover remains suitable or whether extra precautions are needed.
Does house insurance cover accidental damage?
Accidental damage is sometimes included, but often it is an optional add-on. It can cover sudden and unexpected damage, such as spilling liquid on a carpet or accidentally damaging a fixture.
Policies vary, so you should check whether accidental damage applies to buildings, contents or both. There may also be exclusions and limits depending on the type of damage.
What happens if I underestimate the value of my contents?
If your contents are underinsured, a claim may be reduced. This means you may not receive enough to replace everything properly after a major loss.
It is better to estimate the full replacement value of your belongings rather than guessing too low. Walk through each room and include everyday items as well as valuables.
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